Easter Week Celebrations

by Maureen Stanucci

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, refers to the week before Easter Sunday. In some places this may begin as early as the Thursday or Friday before Palm Sunday, which is the Sunday prior to Easter. Being an at least nominally Catholic country, the week will be celebrated to a certain degree in many areas but the most well known celebrations are in Ayacucho, Cusco, Tarma and Huaraz.

Celebrations of this type are particularly interesting as a lens into the history of the blending of Catholicism with the indigenous beliefs that long predated the arrival of the Spanish. As was the case in many countries, this religious confluence was accepted by the conquerors as, at the very least, a step in the right direction. The festivals have thus remained a unique cultural mongrel ever since.

In Ayacucho, the city most renowned for its Semana Santa celebrations, the activities start on Palm Sunday when the people reenact the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Donkeys and llamas laden with herbs which will be burned on Easter Sunday enter in a procession into the city. Throughout the week, there will also be many folkloric dances and various types of fairs.

On the Wednesday before Easter, the pilgrims will make a procession with candles to honor Jesus, accompanied by figures of saints from various churches. The next day, they will visit all 33 churches in Ayacucho. Friday is highlighted by a procession with a crystal coffin holding the figure of Jesus lying on white rose petals. Finally, on Easter Sunday, the people will wake to all the church bells in the city ringing. A large image of Jesus, requiring more than 250 men to carry it, will be carried throughout the city.

The celebrations in Cusco begin with a procession of the Señor de los Temblores. Over the years, the statue has become blackened so that it now more resembles the native population. The legend says that, during an earthquake in 1650, this Christ statue was taken out of the cathedral and the earthquake stopped. During this holy week, it is taken through the streets in procession. Also going on throughout the week are other processions, folkloric dancing and many fireworks. Thursday and Friday are holidays as the whole city is in celebration.

Tarma is another popular Semana Santa destination. The celebrations here also begin on the Thursday before Palm Sunday. The processions are noted for the spectacular array of fresh flowers which include arrangements in arches and even rugs. In Huaraz, the processions are noted for the Christ image which is articulated, making the reenactment of his last days more realistic.

Ayacucho, Tarma and Huaraz are all easily reached by bus from Lima. Flights to Cusco depart from Lima, Arequipa or Puno (Juliaca). You can also go by bus from Lima, although it will take at least 20-24 hours. Note that lodging in all these locations will fill up fairly quickly at this time of year. If making plans last minute, it may be best to head to Cusco where there will be far more options of places to stay.

This is a guest article sponsored by SA Luxury Expeditions, a specialist in tours to South America and South America tour packages.